Animal Farm Transcript

Introduction 1

Good morning students of 10B and Ms Borthwick, today I will be addressing an in-depth
analysis of the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Context

The context of Animal Farm was based on a story involving a group of animals living in
‘manor farm’ which was owned by Mr Jones who was in charge of the farm. However
everything changed one day, as the animals gathered around to listen to Old Major’s
speech in which he spoke about how the animals have been oppressed, enslaved and
tortured by human inflicted sufferings and that his speech signified that something must
be done to protect the animals. He then proceeds to tell the animals about a strange
dream that he had last night, he confessed that he had dreamt of humming a song, not
just an ordinary song, but a song that revealed the animals potential in overthrowing
their corruptive farmer.

Soon Old Major pronounced the song ‘Beasts of England’, which stirred an uproar of
encouragement from the animals to take action and this was the beginning of the
rebellion. When the animals took ownership of the farm from Mr Jones, they decided to
reinforce the fact that ‘All animals are equal’ in order to create an ideal and peaceful
lifestyle in Animal Farm. All went well until major events started to occur which
detrimentally changed the animals' perception of the farm as they became brainwashed
from human influences of totalitarianism, social and political values.

Introduction 2

Animal Farm being an old, classic novel which revolves around the history of the
Russian Revolution explores how the characters in the book enhance our
understanding of their world and allows us to be opened to new ideas by utilising a
range of themes and language techniques.
Theme 1: Power

One of the themes that Orwell uses to interpret this statement is the idea of power. The
theme of power is evident in the quote of “Nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded
collars came bounding into the barn”, which is represented as a political allegory to
symbolise Napoleon’s guard dogs in which they are used as a threat of oppression to
spread fear to the animals who tried to oppose him or defy his orders. The fact that
Napoleon possesses an army of dogs to be at his company, expresses his way of
gaining control by asserting his absolute power and authority towards the animals
causing them to fear death if they did not abide with his interests for the farm.

Napoleon’s nature of leading would be equivalent to a government dictatorship, which

correlates to how this system of governing still exists in some countries in the world
today. Napoleon’s dogs also represented a power influence significant to his position of
governing as it was stated in the quote that they were wearing ‘brass studded collars’.
The fact that the dogs were required to wear leashes and collars whereas the other
animals did not just highlights how guard dogs wield more authority and dominance
based on their predatory nature and are much more capable to wreak havoc and cause
terror if they were not restrained by reins and no animal could ever imagine what would
happened to them if they were released.

This means that guard dogs are able to withstand more disciplined authority when it
comes to devoting their loyalty to protect their owner whereas the rest of the animals on
the farm seem to have their own rights, independence and free will. The power
dynamics between the dogs and the animals best represents how the police are in a
higher position of power like the dogs as they demonstrate their loyalty and commitment
in doing their job and they are privileged with the authority to control the actions of
people to maintain a safe environment for others. While the people of society are more
open minded to speak about their personal opinions and rights just like the animals as
they are characterised as democratic people.
Theme 2: Idealism

Another theme that addresses a range of insights reflecting our world is the concept of
idealism. For example the theme of idealism can be identified in the lines of “The Seven
Commandments”, which represents the literary technique of religious imagery. The
seven commandments were intentionally created by Snowball and Napoleon to
replicate the principles of Animalism which inscribed a set of rules that the animals were
expected to follow in order to develop a peaceful environment within the farm. Ever
since the seven principles of animalism have been created, it has become a set of laws
that required the animals to devote their time in memorising these rules very well as if
the animals were loyal and faithful to the ethics of a bible. The major commandments
are considered a religious representation of how idealism is portrayed as the doctrines
of animalism appear to be closely associated with religion.

A bible for example provides us with a belief system of ideals that guides an individual
to maintain their purity and kindness and teaches people not to sin similarly to how
animalism is based on treating all animals with respect and equality as well as avoiding
cruel habits of mankind. The commandments further demonstrates the impression of
idealism as it teaches us that ideals should be followed while communism was not
encouraged by Napoleon, even though he was hypocritical and led as a dictatorship.
The refusal to follow the commandments would be an act of communism as these
animals are choosing to learn about the cruel human, social and political vices, but at
the same time the animals should not be blamed for following the way of human lives as
they were still naive and curious creatures that act on their free will.

The representation of idealism in Animal Farm also reflects how our modern political
society is portrayed as working class people who also want to express their thoughts,
concerns and alternalities about the current governing system to appeal to the majority
of the citizen’s interests. As the animals began to disobey the laws, the concept of
idealism had lost its meaning in the farm as some animals had their own interpretations
of what idealism could look like to them. Therefore the moral of idealism conveyed in
Animal Farm links back to our human society and how everyone has a different
perspective of what is considered perfect in their eyes which also contributes to their
level of expectations.
Conclusion

In conclusion, the novel Animal Farm has helped me to extensively broaden my

knowledge of the animal world as the enduring themes of Power and Idealism are
prevalent in our society today. The characters from the book have allowed me to
acquire a comprehensive understanding of how themes can be expressed in different
worlds and allows me to make connections with the themes and the social and political
problems that are prominent in the human world.